With The Amazon At Stake, Biden And Bolsonaro Eye Green Deal
Framer Ita watches as smoke rises from a fire in the Amazon Rainforest - João Paulo Guimarães/dpa/ZUMA
Would an agreement with the Americans make the Bolsonaro government change course?
2021-05-04
RIO DE JANEIRO — Imagine for a moment that the United States declares that it's signed a major environmental agreement with the Brazilian government, as President Joe Biden has recently declared is a top priority. Imagine the U.S. government promises to pay if there is a reduction in deforestation in the Amazon this year. It would be a "carrot" for the government of President Jair Bolsonaro to act around the protection of forests, in addition to the "sticks" that he faces in the form of reduced business and investment. It could be the long-awaited deal that changes the course of Brazil's climate and environmental agenda.